The Challenges of Intermediate Learning

My first encounter with the complexities of advancing beyond this point occurred while teaching English to non-native speakers. I began with advanced classes but soon found myself grappling with the intermediate level, which was the most challenging: dull, monotonous, and ultimately frustrating. Many of my students had lingered at this level for years, feeling disheartened by their stagnant progress. I suspect that most, if not all, had begun to doubt their potential to achieve fluency.

There exists a pivotal moment in every learning journey—not at the outset, nor at the peak, but in the middle, where the initial excitement has faded, yet the end goal remains obscured. At this juncture, we often confront our inner doubts, which may lead us to consider giving up. A prevalent thought is that we may not be "good enough" for the task at hand. If this notion takes hold, it can trap us in the intermediate stage.

Challenging the Notion of 'Not Good Enough'

However, I argue that this perspective lacks substance. Most of us possess the ability to tackle the challenges we face; we simply may not have invested sufficient time yet. The intermediate stage can feel lengthy and arduous: unlike beginners, we recognize how much we still have to learn, but we lack the confidence that comes with mastery. It is a fertile ground for self-doubt and insecurity. Often, all we need is to persevere and trust—an act of faith that can be particularly challenging for those of us dedicated to continuous learning—that time is the key to progress.

Learning should never feel stagnant. If it does, it might be time to shake things up.

While reflecting on these thoughts, I listened to ‘To Those Who Dwelt in a Land of Deep Darkness’ by zakè & Wayne Robert Thomas. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Your support means the world to me.

Who am I, you ask?

I’m a musician with a passion for writing and a writer who creates music. You can explore my world here.

Section 1.1: The Power of Perseverance

The journey through the intermediate level is marked by persistence and determination. To emphasize this, I recommend the following video:

This video, titled "When You Don't Feel Good Enough," delves into overcoming feelings of inadequacy and inspires viewers to push through their challenges.

Section 1.2: Moving Forward with Confidence

The key to advancing through the intermediate stage lies in maintaining a positive mindset and embracing the journey ahead. Remember, every expert was once a beginner.